Psychologist: People Can "Infect" Others with Their Bad Mood (EXCLUSIVE)

• 08.10.2017, 13:26
•  Armenia,  No-politics,  Interview

"Armedia" IAA presents an exclusive interview with Psychologist of the Center for Psychosocial Regulation, Candidate of Psychological Sciences, Associate Professor, Sona Harutyunyan.

- Regardless of the existence of objective circumstances in Armenian society today, we can see depressive moods, certain sadness. According to you, what are the main reasons for this? Does this have a deeper, more genetic explanation?

- As for the objective circumstances, some factors, especially those that threaten psychological security, can cause a depressive atmosphere. As for the national characteristics, you are right as well! Our memories can also create favorable conditions for a gloomy mood. And, of course, let's not forget about individual characteristics. After all, regardless of the circumstances, some people are cheerful, while others are gloomy. By the way, the flow of negative information can become a contributing factor, when our people surrounding us annoy with the topics related to their own problems and their discontent. People can often "infect" others (relatives, friends, neighbors) with their bad mood. There is a point of view according to which our mood is the result of our thoughts. Therefore, it is necessary to carry only positive thoughts and "infect" each other with a positive mental state.

- What can psychologists do in order to improve the general atmosphere in society? What are the necessary steps?

- It's just necessary to activate the culture of turning to a psychologist so that people, in case of negative mental state, chronic stresses, problems that seem unsolvable, could regain inner harmony, which they would spread to their surroundings. Psychologists can cover and highlight the psychological aspects of mental health problems. And awareness is of primary importance for overcoming this or that problem. Psychologists organize various seminars, trainings, which are useful in the preservation and strengthening of mental health. Nevertheless, it is not a secret that the effectiveness of psychological intervention is due to bilateral actions and only the activity of psychologists is insufficient to achieve any result, it is also necessary to involve society in these processes.

Of course, from the psychological point of view, it is also necessary to emphasize the important role of the media in the issue of "injecting" a particular culture in the society. Today, the information flow is crammed with diverse, often unnecessary information, which has negative connotations. It is also necessary to be consistent in this matter.

Being an optimist, I will summarize my thoughts in the following words: any society has its own characteristics. We, Armenians have always been restrained in the issues of voicing and stimulating the positive, but I am sure that over time, as a result of joint, consistent activities, optimism and smiles will prevail in our daily lives.